Series Introduction

There are a number of times throughout the Bible where sport is used as a metaphor. We hear of running the race with endurance in Hebrews, fighting the good fight and finishing the race in Timothy, pressing on towards the goal in Philippians and many more. It’s interesting to look at these verses in their sporting context and how they can apply to our lives as Christians.

Reflection: The 1%ers  

Elite athletes devote their lives to their sport. They train multiple times a day for months at a time with minimal days off. At events like the Olympics, you’re seeing 40 of the best athletes in the world, but behind them are countless others who have done the hard work and the training but just missed out on getting there.  

In sport, we talk about ‘1%ers’, the small factors that may seem unimportant, but by consistently doing them, they can mean all the difference. That extra lap or five minutes of stretching, going the ‘extra mile.’ Winners aren’t the ones who do the bare minimum, they’re the ones who look for any aspect that will give them the winning edge.  

What would that look like in our Christian life?  

By God’s grace, we are blessed that we’re not measured by our works or actions. That said, if we’re doing the bare minimum, can we really say that we’re ‘running to win the prize’? Is turning up to a race without having done any training like trying to have a meaningful relationship with God when we only attend church when it’s convenient and forget about him the rest of the week? Imagine what we could achieve with God if we were diligent about doing the ‘1%ers’ and going the extra mile for him?

Prayer:

Lord, thank you that you loved me so much you died on the cross for my sins. I don’t want to live my life doing the bare minimum, I want to draw near to you. Help me to give you my all; please shine your light in my life. Amen.